As of 2023, the status of federal cannabis legislation in the United States remains a complex and evolving issue. Despite growing public support for cannabis legalization, evidenced by numerous polls and state-level legislative changes, federal law continues to classify cannabis as a Schedule I controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act. This classification places cannabis alongside drugs like heroin and LSD, denoting it as having a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use. However, recent years have seen significant congressional efforts aimed at reforming these laws.

One of the key pieces of legislation concerning cannabis is the MORE Act (Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act), which has been introduced in various forms over recent congressional sessions. The MORE Act proposes not only to remove marijuana from the list of scheduled substances but also to eliminate criminal penalties associated with it. Furthermore, it seeks to address past injustices through expungement provisions for those convicted of certain marijuana offenses and proposes a taxation framework that would fund community reinvestment programs.

Additionally, there's the SAFE Banking Act (Secure and Fair Enforcement Banking Act), which aims to resolve banking issues faced by legal cannabis businesses. These businesses often operate on a cash-only basis due to fears among financial institutions about federal prosecution for handling drug-related money. The SAFE Banking Act would protect banks that service legitimate cannabis-related businesses from federal penalties, thereby aiming to improve safety and operational issues within the industry.

Despite bipartisan support for such measures—at least at some level—progress has been slow. Legislative attempts like these often face significant hurdles in Congress, particularly in environments where ideological divides or competing legislative priorities prevail. Senate resistance has been notably strong against major cannabis reforms even as individual senators from both parties have shown some openness toward moderate regulatory adjustments or discussions about federal-state policy discrepancies.

At the state level, however, momentum towards legalization continues unabated. As of 2023, many states have legalized medical marijuana, with several having also legalized recreational use by adults. This piecemeal adoption across states creates a patchwork of regulations that complicates enforcement and regulatory oversight at the federal level.

This ongoing conflict between state initiatives and federal law presents various challenges—including legal ambiguities impacting everything from commerce to criminal justice—and underscores a growing need for comprehensive national policy reform in this area.

In conclusion, while substantial progress towards understanding and potentially reforming federal cannabis laws has been made by 2023, much work remains ahead in navigating this multifaceted issue within Congress. The push towards decriminalization or even full legalization at the national level will likely continue to be an uphill battle fraught with legislative challenges but driven by changing public sentiment and ongoing advocacy efforts dedicated to reforming outdated drug policies.